Ten Unnecessary Summer Necessities

Each week, Vanity Fair’s fashion editors pick the best from what’s in stores, from high to low. Today, Fashion Market Director Michael Carl shares his picks. Follow Michael on Twitter at @carlscrush.

We have all seen or at least thought about summer essentials—the things that one just can’t get through beach season without. I just got back from Mexico, for example, and realized I desperately needed newer, cuter swim trunks. Your summer necessities might be chic sunglasses, sunscreen, towels, a beach bag, a beach boyfriend, whatever. I’ll make a recommended list of these soon enough, and it will include my prediction for the book of summer (which I promise you will not be any kind of sequel to 50 Shades of Grey).

But that is not this list. This list is for unnecessary summer necessities­—those things that you don’t yet know that you’ll need, at least, not until you actually see them. These play to the 10-year-old Frosted Mini-Wheat side of you; you know, the part of your brain that sees a toy on TV and immediately drives Mom crazy until she gives in and buys it for you. I think we can all remember those special toys; mine was the super Barbie dream house that came with a rare black Barbie . . . Er, I mean, mine was Optimus Prime.

With the help of the Vanity Fair fashion department, I have come up with 10 things that you don’t actually “need” but once you have seen, you will not be able to live without. Summer is weeks away, so it is time to start planning and, in this case, saving.

BABY HEDGEHOG

If you are rolling your eyes right now, it is only because you have not thought about it enough. First of all, look at this picture—as my Venezuelan assistant would say, “Ay, que cute.” Now do a little YouTube research; they get along well with other pets, they are easy to take care of, and they’re simple to clean up after (they love baths). I think by this point, you will have to agree with me that a hedgehog is an absolute necessity this summer.